TOKYO, Japan — Head Coach Maurice Wilson believes that the country’s sprinters hold the key to igniting Jamaica’s medal charge at the World Athletics Championships, insisting that a powerful start in Tokyo could define the team’s overall performance.

Wilson also spoke to a need for greater collaboration between coaches to secure effective matriculation of talent and hailed the camaraderie among the current cohort of Jamaican track and field stars, a trait that he believes will also serve the team well in Tokyo.

No Jamaican man has stood on top of the medal podium in a sprint event at a major championships since Usain Bolt in 2016 but there is optimism among Jamaican supporters that Tokyo 2025 could mark the end of the drought.

“For about 10 years we would have started the championships with multiple medals in both men’s and female sprints and when you do the analysis that would have contributed to us not meeting the medal returns that we would normally meet” the coach told the Jamaica Observer before the start of the championship at the National Stadium.

“I am excited but guarded because years of experience has taught that the race has to be won on the track. While I am very excited based on what I have seen in training and how the men and women have looked, they have to put it down on the day. But this is one of the best in terms of recovery of our sprinters that I have seen since 2021, so I am going to be very optimistic and hopeful that the performances will be what we hope for,” added Wilson.

The coach says the form and unity of the team give him confidence that Jamaica is on the verge of another breakthrough moment.

“I think this is one of the best groups I have seen, in terms of camaraderie. It’s a deliberate attempt by the JAAA and senior persons to create that sort of cohesion and I hope it can continue,” said Wilson.

Wilson, however, warned that the country cannot take any success for granted and that there should be greater collaboration between coaches to assist in the transition of upcoming talent to ensure that there is no significant fallout when senior athletes move on.

“I think what is critical is for most of the coaches who are preparing our senior athletes — and they are also transitioning, the new generation of coaches — it is important that they have some amount of discourse with senior coaches. They don’t have to take the information given to them, but at least it is experience coming from persons who have been there. That will help with the transition process but overall, what I am seeing is that Jamaica’s track and field is alive and well,” said Wilson.

The Jamaicans’ campaign got off to a good start with NACAC champion Samantha Hall willing her way into the final of the Women’s Discus event.

Staring down the barrel of an early elimination, Hall, who walked to the circle for her third attempt in 14th position after a best of 60.20m, Hall produced her biggest throw at a global championship, a 63.32m effort that landed her in the 10th overall for an all-important top-12 finish.

“I have to give thanks to my coach Rajindra Campbell, he took me under his wings after the Olympics. He said that he believed in me and our goal was to make the final and I couldn’t disappoint,” said Hall, who also credited coaches Marlon Gayle and Julian Robinson for their work with her during camp.

The Women’s Discus final will take place on Sunday at 7:15pm (5:15am Jamaica time).

There was again disappointment in the 4×400 Mixed Relays event, with the Jamaica team of Jevaughn Powell, Dejanea Oakley, Zandrion Barnes and Leah Anderson finishing eight in their heat in a time of 3:13.96.

The USA, 3:10.18 took top spot ahead of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 3:10.22 and South Africa, 3:11.16.

Kishane Thompson Photo: Observer file